Gorman Coat of Arms, Family Crest and Gorman Family History

Gorman Family History

The Gorman ancient family history was found in the irishsurnames.com archives.

Surnames developed a wide number of variants over the centuries. Many different spelling variations of the same name can be traced back to a single original root. Also, when a bearer of a name emigrated from Ireland it was not uncommon that their original name would be incorrectly transcribed in the record books upon arrival at their new location. Some names have dozens of spelling variations. Some Surnames were also altered over the years based on how they sounded phonetically, by their sound, and depending on the prevailing political conditions it may have been advantageous to change a name from one language to another. This was especially so in Ireland where most Gaelic names were 'anglicized' at some stage.

Variants of the name Gorman include O'Gorman and Gormen. This Irish sept originated in the Barony of Slievemargy, in County Leix, of which their Chief was Lord. They were driven out when the Normans invaded in 1172 and settled in West Clare and in County Monaghan. The head of the Monaghan sept became hereditary marshal to O'Brien of Thomond. The West Clare Gormans were noted for their wealth, hospitality and poets. There are ten townlands called Gormanstown located in Counties Kildare, Westmeath, Meath, Wicklow, Limerick and Tipperary and two called Gormanston in Counties Meath and Dublin. Gormanston in County Meath has been on record since the year 1200. The Gorman family crest (or coat of arms) came into existence many centuries ago. The process of creating these coats of arms began as early as the eleventh century although a form of Proto-Heraldry may have existed in some countries prior to this, including Ireland. The new more formalized art of Heraldry made it possible for families and even individual family members to have their very own family crest, coat of arms, including Gorman descendants.